But it was hated owner Ashley's first-ever TV interview before kick-off which provided the main talking point.

Ashley broke his silence hours after club legend Kevin Keegan launched a blistering attack on his regime and urged the sports magnate to quit.

VOW: Ashley has promised to invest in the club [GETTY]

“I shan't be selling the club until we win something - not at any price”

Mike Ashley

The billionaire said: "I shan't be selling the club until we win something - not at any price.

"When I say win something, if we get in a position of Champions League, that equals winning something.

"From this day forward, we will be making our own luck.

"The only positive we've got is the club is on a very sound financial footing so we are able to spend and punch above our weight.

"We may have the cart, financially but we now need to bolt the horse on and we are going to."

BOSS: Carver still hopes to land the Newcastle job [GETTY]

Hundreds of fans who stayed behind yesterday to protest against Ashley, are demanding the club spend millions this summer to spark a revival.

Ashley will leave it up to managing director Lee Charnley to appoint a new boss and Carver remains a leading contender along with Derby boss Steve McClaren, despite just three wins in his five months in charge.

"I'm not going anywhere," said Carver. "I want this job.

"We can't afford to get ourselves in this situation ever again. We all now we've made mistakes and we've admitted them.

"I've had assurances that we're going to spend money. The fans can now go away, have their summer holidays and look forward to players coming through the door."